Police find two meth labs behind Mishawaka motel

April 25, 2011|By Clifton French (cfrench@wsbt.com), Click here to follow Clifton on Twitter | By Clifton French (cfrench@wsbt.com), Click here to follow Clifton on Twitter

MISHAWAKA — Mishawka police say two backpack meth labs found behind a Motel 6 in Mishawaka were likely put together inside one of the rooms.

Lt. Tim Williams said Metro Special Operations is investigating the labs, which were found Sunday just outside the Motel 6 at 2754 Lincoln Way East. No arrests have been made at this time.

"The first thing my husband said was 'Oh no, here we go,' so yeah, it was a little disturbing," said Betsy Karnes, who lives just down the road from the Motel 6.

This comes just a week and a half after another meth bust at a Stark County motel. Four meth labs were found scattered throughout rooms and a vehicle at the Holloway Motel in Hamlet. Four people were arrested, including the motel manager. That building was condemned by the Starke County Health Department.

So why are motels so popular with meth manufacturers? Police say it’s because they are temporary.

"[In] Hotel rooms and storage facilities, you've got access to it. For at least a certain period of time it's your private property, but you don't have to treat it like something you have a long-term investment in," said Cpt. Phil Trent with the South Bend Police Department.

Meaning the meth can be made and the person making it can leave.

“If something goes wrong, it wasn't yours to begin with, so you can just walk away from it," Trent said.

Right now, the Saint Joseph County Health Department has not taken any action at the Motel 6. But like the motel in Hamlet, it could be condemned if meth needs to be cleaned out of any rooms.

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